used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He blinked a moment in the glare that followed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
(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 Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
anguishnounUS /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
extreme mental distress
From this reading "Bob?" cried Mathison, the anguish of that moment the greatest he had ever known.
antiqueadjectiveUS /ænˈtiːk/
made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
blinkedverbUS /blɪŋkt/
past form of “blink” — briefly shut the eyes
From this reading He blinked a moment in the glare that followed.
blue-prints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading "Bob?" cried Mathison, the anguish of that moment the greatest he had ever known.
bookcasesnounUS /ˈbʊkkeɪsɪz/
plural of “bookcase” — a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
bronzesnounUS /ˈbrɑːnzəz/
plural of “bronze” — an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
rid of obstructions
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Bob?" cried Mathison, the anguish of that moment the greatest he had ever known.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
at any time
From this reading "Bob?" cried Mathison, the anguish of that moment the greatest he had ever known.
to or in any or all places
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
filesnounUS /faɪlz/
plural of “file” — a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He blinked a moment in the glare that followed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading He blinked a moment in the glare that followed.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
highest in quality
From this reading "Bob?" cried Mathison, the anguish of that moment the greatest he had ever known.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Bob?" cried Mathison, the anguish of that moment the greatest he had ever known.
Hallowell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
havocnounUS /ˈhævək/
violent and needless disturbance
From this reading Then, whichever way he looked--havoc!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He blinked a moment in the glare that followed.
helter-skelteradjectiveUS /ˌheltərˈskeltər/
lacking a visible order or organization
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
key-button
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading "Bob?" cried Mathison, the anguish of that moment the greatest he had ever known.
staying power
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Then, whichever way he looked--havoc!
Mathison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
a particular point in time
From this reading He blinked a moment in the glare that followed.
nauseanounUS /ˈnɔːziə/
the state that precedes vomiting
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
overturnedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərtɜːrnd/
having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
paralysisnounUS /pərˈæləsəs/
loss of the ability to move a body part
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
phonograph-record
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
shatteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərd/
ruined or disrupted
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
possessing sweep
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He blinked a moment in the glare that followed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, whichever way he looked--havoc!
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The long table, the stands and chairs overturned, the phonograph-record files empty and flung about, the glass in the bookcases shattered and the books in a helter-skelter, the top of the piano swept clear of Hallowell's antique bronzes, drawers out, papers and blue-prints scattered everywhere--and the quiet form of his friend on the floor!
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Mathison fought nausea, terror; fought the paralysis gathering in his legs, and pushed through the curtain, feeling along the wall for the key-button to all the lights.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Then, whichever way he looked--havoc!
whicheverdeterminerUS /wɪˈtʃevər/
any one of a set, it does not matter which
From this reading Then, whichever way he looked--havoc!
