used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
with anger
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
next to; at the side of
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
bulletnounUS /ˈbʊlət/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
dashingadjectiveUS /ˈdæʃɪŋ/
lively and spirited
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
opinion or judgment
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
habituallyadverbUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəli/
according to habit or custom
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
an opening into or through something
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
not any; not one
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
move hurridly
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
only a very short time before
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
scrambledadjectiveUS /ˈskræmbəld/
thrown together in a disorderly fashion
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
second'snounUS /ˈsekəndz/
possessive form of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I looked angrily around, but could see no one.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
SPYverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
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 The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
Usher's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
at the time that
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The man had taken refuge behind one of the trees, while I stood before him right in the open.
whizzedverbUS /wɪzd/
inflected form of “whiz” — make a soft swishing sound
From this reading Scarcely had I gained my footing above when a shot was fired close to me, and a bullet whizzed past my head.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE SPY, AND WHAT HE TOLD US WITHOUT a second’s hesitation I drew the revolver I now habitually carried, and, dashing out through the hole, scrambled up to the surface after the intruder.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading My companions, alarmed by my sudden rush and the report of the pistol, were next instant beside me, and Usher’s quick eyes in a few seconds distinguished a slight movement behind a bush a few yards away.
