used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
anew
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
on or to one side
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
a youthful male person
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
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 Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading "Stop that young devil up there!"
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
frenziedadjectiveUS /ˈfrenzid/
affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
the act of giving
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading My good God!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
held up in the air
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
lurchedverbUS /lɜːrtʃt/
past form of “lurch” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
engage in
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
mightiestadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪtiəst/
superlative of “mighty” — having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
a particular point in time
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
immediately following in time or order
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
outragedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒd/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading "Stop that young devil up there!"
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Stop that young devil up there!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Stop that young devil up there!"
a special situation
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Stop that young devil up there!"
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the next moment there was the crack of a dozen rifles, and the boy on the parapet swayed aside, lurched forward, and fell into the street.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
at the time that
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
which person or people
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman, who had torn the black veil from her face, lifted the boy’s head to her breast and cried, "My God!
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The Colonel was giving orders that he should be taken up and carried away when the woman’s cry was heard again, this time in a frenzied shriek, and at the next instant the soldiers had to make way for the mightiest thing on earth, an outraged mother in the presence of her dead.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Stop that young devil up there!"
