used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading "I don’t—understand," he said at length, in a low, bewildered tone.
bulletnounUS /ˈbʊlət/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don’t—understand," he said at length, in a low, bewildered tone.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
ebbingnounUS /ˈebɪŋ/
a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
effectuallyadverb
in an effectual manner
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
opinion or judgment
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
made afraid
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don’t—understand," he said at length, in a low, bewildered tone.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What is the matter?
LawrencenounUS /ˈlɔːrəns/
Roman martyr; supposedly Lawrence was ordered by the police to give up the church's treasure and when he responded by presenting the poor people of Rome he was roasted to death on a gridiron (died in 258)
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading "I don’t—understand," he said at length, in a low, bewildered tone.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "I don’t—understand," he said at length, in a low, bewildered tone.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "What is the matter?
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
not any; not one
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don’t—understand," he said at length, in a low, bewildered tone.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
in a swift manner
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For a second he stood there staring at her, the color swiftly ebbing from his face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To his amazement, she did not show the slightest sign of being glad to see him.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "I don’t—understand," he said at length, in a low, bewildered tone.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading On the contrary, she seemed almost frightened; and the quick backward step she took to place the table between them, no less than the look in her dark eyes, halted Lawrence in his tracks as effectually as a bullet might have done.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "I don’t—understand," he said at length, in a low, bewildered tone.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is the matter?
