used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
bombnounUS /bɑːm/
an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
BRIDALadjectiveUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
of or relating to a wedding
From this reading MOLLIE'S BRIDAL.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
convulsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
gentlemanlyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəlmənli/
befitting a man of good breeding
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
only a very short time before
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Imagine that tableau!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
the force of workers available
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
MollienounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
MOLLIE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOLLIE'S BRIDAL.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
tableaunounUS /təˈbloʊ/
a group of people attractively arranged (as if in a painting)
From this reading Imagine that tableau!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Imagine that tableau!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mollie dared not look in their faces, lest the inward laughter that convulsed her should burst forth.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
thunder-struck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
Trajenna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For an instant there was dead silence; a bomb bursting in their midst could hardly have startled them more.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
but in spite of that
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Sir Roger Trajenna, a little surprised, yet bowed with gentlemanly ease, while the three young men sat perfectly thunder-struck.
