used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
alighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
ClutchingverbUS /ˈklʌtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
cushionedadjectiveUS /ˈkʊʃənd/
softened by the addition of cushions or padding
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
let fall to the ground
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
grippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
jollyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːli/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
not in physical motion
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
noiselessadjective
making no sound
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
rabbitsnounUS /ˈræbəts/
plural of “rabbit” — any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
only a very short time before
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
SorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
not in physical motion
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
thanksgivingnounUS /ˌθæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/
fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For a full moment she crouched there motionless, scarcely breathing, listening intently.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “Thanks, jolly little friends,” she whispered to the rabbits.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading A gripping of the beams, a swinging down, a second of clinging, a sudden drop, a prayer of thanksgiving that her alighting place was grass cushioned and noiseless, and the next instant she was lost from sight in the brush whither the three rabbits had fled.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Clutching at her heart in a vain effort to still its wild beating, she slid slowly out of the window.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Sorry to disturb you, but it really has to be done.”
