used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
aguenounUS /ˈeɪɡjuː/
a fit of shivering or shaking
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
bedeckedverbUS /bɪˈdekt/
past form of “bedeck” — decorate
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
confined by bonds
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
captorsnounUS /ˈkæptərz/
plural of “captor” — a person who captures and holds people or animals
From this reading Then for the first time they realized that their captors were not Indians.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
DANCERSnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
daubedverbUS /dɔːbd/
past form of “daub” — coat with plaster
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
divisible by two
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
at any time
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Then for the first time they realized that their captors were not Indians.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then for the first time they realized that their captors were not Indians.
set up or found
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
made afraid
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
hold firmly
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
half-naked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
hideouslyadverbUS /ˈhɪdiəsli/
in a hideous manner
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading Then for the first time they realized that their captors were not Indians.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
marvelingverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “marvel” — be amazed at
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
the force of workers available
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
a particular point in time
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
not any; not one
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
nudenounUS /nuːd/
a painting of a naked human figure
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
by chance
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
skinsnounUS /skɪnz/
plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
not in physical motion
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
confined on all sides
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
swoonedverbUS /swuːnd/
past form of “swoon” — pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
terriblyadverbUS /ˈterəbli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then for the first time they realized that their captors were not Indians.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Then for the first time they realized that their captors were not Indians.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
unharmedadjectiveUS /ənˈhɑːrmd/
not injured or harmed
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
at the time that
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
whicheverdeterminerUS /wɪˈtʃevər/
any one of a set, it does not matter which
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But they were unharmed, not even bound, and as they realized this their courage in a measure returned and they glanced about, still terribly frightened, shaking as if with ague, and marveling that they were still alive.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading THE DEVIL DANCERS Perhaps the two terrified boys swooned, perhaps they were literally frightened out of their wits.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Neither could ever be sure, but whichever it was, everything was a blank from the moment when they felt the hands of the savage figures grasp them until they found themselves surrounded on every side by a ring of half-naked men and women in the full glare of a huge fire under immense trees.
woolyadjectiveUS /ˈwʊli/
having a fluffy character or appearance
From this reading They were hideously daubed with paint to be sure, they were nearly nude, but they were not bedecked with feathers and their black skins and wooly heads left no doubt as to their identity.
