used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
accursedadjectiveUS /ˌæˈkɜːrst/
under a curse
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
(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 It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
chins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hairy chins; and huge warts on their noses.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
at any time
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
femalesnounUS /ˈfiːmeɪlz/
plural of “female” — an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
flitverbUS /flɪt/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
hairyadjectiveUS /ˈheri/
having or covered with hair
From this reading They had hairy chins; and huge warts on their noses.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading They had hairy chins; and huge warts on their noses.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
jack-o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
kempenei
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
minuetnounUS /mɪˌnjuːˈet/
a stately court dance in the 17th century
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
moorverbUS /mʊr/
secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
used to form the superlative
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
nosesnounUS /ˈnoʊzɪz/
plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading They had hairy chins; and huge warts on their noses.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
notoriousadjectiveUS /noʊˈtɔːriəs/
known widely and usually unfavorably
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had hairy chins; and huge warts on their noses.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
rendezvousnounUS /ˈrɑːndɪvuː/
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
repulsiveadjectiveUS /riˈpʌlsɪv/
offensive to the mind
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
SATYRS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SATYRS.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
shrieksnounUS /ʃriːks/
plural of “shriek” — sharp piercing cry
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SATYRS.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had hairy chins; and huge warts on their noses.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had hairy chins; and huge warts on their noses.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
tumultnounUS /ˈtuːməlt/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
directed up
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
wartsnounUS /wɔːrts/
plural of “wart” — any small rounded protuberance (as on certain plants or animals)
From this reading They had hairy chins; and huge warts on their noses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Not until the shadows of night had settled around me did I learn into what an accursed region I had strayed.
at the time that
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
witchesnounUS /ˈwɪtʃəz/
plural of “witch” — a female sorcerer or magician
From this reading It was the notorious "_kempenei_"--the rendezvous of witches and all evil spirits.
yellsnounUS /jelz/
plural of “yell” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading When it became quite dark, the jack-o'-lanterns began to flit over the moor--as if the witches were dancing a minuet; and suddenly I heard a tumult of shrieks and yells, and looking upward I beheld the most repulsive lot of females it has ever been the lot of man to see.
