used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Only the present mattered, and it was a dark one.
achingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪkɪŋ/
causing a dull and steady pain
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
aliensnounUS /ˈeɪliənz/
plural of “alien” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
in addition
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Only the present mattered, and it was a dark one.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
for the reason that
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
breatheverbUS /briːð/
draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
bruiseverbUS /bruːz/
injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
contemplateverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/
look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
without stop or interruption
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Only the present mattered, and it was a dark one.
deducedverbUS /dɪˈduːst/
past form of “deduce” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
Ennar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
hidesnounUS /haɪdz/
plural of “hide” — the dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
horsemennounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Only the present mattered, and it was a dark one.
and nothing more
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
lacedadjectiveUS /leɪst/
closed with a lace
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
engage in
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
matteredverbUS /ˈmætərd/
past form of “matter” — have weight; have import, carry weight
From this reading Only the present mattered, and it was a dark one.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
Murdock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
and nothing more
From this reading Only the present mattered, and it was a dark one.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Only the present mattered, and it was a dark one.
the possibility of future success
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
roofingnounUS /ˈruːfɪŋ/
material used to construct a roof
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
RossnounUS /rɑːs/
Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
From this reading Having been battered just enough to feel all one aching bruise, Ross had lost interest in the future.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
not in physical motion
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He might have fought Ennar to a standstill, but in the eyes of the horsemen he had also been beaten, and he had not impressed them as he had hoped.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Only the present mattered, and it was a dark one.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Murdock lay on his back, gazing up at the laced hides which stretched to make the tent roofing.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading That he still lived was a minor wonder, but he deduced that he continued to breathe only because they wanted to exchange him for the reward offered by the aliens from out of time, an unpleasant prospect to contemplate.
