used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was tense and quivering, and his eyes bore a haunted look.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
(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 In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
any thing at all
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
bellynounUS /ˈbeli/
the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
besetverbUS /bɪˈset/
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
cause to be bored
From this reading He was tense and quivering, and his eyes bore a haunted look.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was nothing craven in them and little fear.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
cravenadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪvən/
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
From this reading But there was nothing craven in them and little fear.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
Dresen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
apart from; not including
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was tense and quivering, and his eyes bore a haunted look.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading But there was nothing craven in them and little fear.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading He was tense and quivering, and his eyes bore a haunted look.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But there was nothing craven in them and little fear.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was tense and quivering, and his eyes bore a haunted look.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
not any; not one
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But there was nothing craven in them and little fear.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
a human being
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading He was tense and quivering, and his eyes bore a haunted look.
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
scrapedverbUS /skreɪpt/
past form of “scrape” — scratch repeatedly
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
slunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading He was tense and quivering, and his eyes bore a haunted look.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But there was nothing craven in them and little fear.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was nothing craven in them and little fear.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
tormentnounUS /ˈtɔːrment/
unbearable physical pain
From this reading In all his life the dog had never feared anything except the terrible torment that beset him now.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was tense and quivering, and his eyes bore a haunted look.
weed-grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
weedsnounUS /wiːdz/
a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
From this reading Then, knowing that his back could be seen over the weeds, he slunk down so that his belly scraped the earth.
at the time that
From this reading _For Margaret Mary, John, Jim, Frank, and Barbara Dresen_ _The characters, incidents and situations in this book are imaginary and have no relation to any person or actual happening._ When the dog came to the weed-grown border of the clearing, he stopped.
