used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading This was a--I was about to say a wholly physical being.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading This was a--I was about to say a wholly physical being.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
crypticadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪptɪk/
of an obscure nature
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
fleeverbUS /fliː/
run away quickly
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
set up or found
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
GladstonenounUS /ˈɡlædstoʊn/
liberal British statesman who served as prime minister four times (1809-1898)
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That isn't true.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
and nothing more
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
metamorphosisnounUS /ˌmet.əˈmɔːr.fə.sɪs/
A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one.
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading This was a--I was about to say a wholly physical being.
requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/
third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
Identical; not different.
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
express in words
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
second-story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
slainnounUS /sleɪn/
people who have been slain (as in battle)
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
stalagmitenounUS /ˈstæləɡmaɪt/
a cylinder of calcium carbonate projecting upward from the floor of a limestone cave
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
stuffedadjectiveUS /stʌft/
filled with something
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading As I stuffed things into my big battered Gladstone I found myself changing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading That isn't true.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading This was a--I was about to say a wholly physical being.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading At first I was the same creature that had crouched behind the false stalagmite and slain the guard, then had leaped from the second-story window to flee into the night.
but in spite of that
From this reading A cryptic statement, that, and one which requires explanation; yet how can I say just what it was like, this metamorphosis?
