used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
animal'snounUS /ˈænəməlz/
possessive form of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
the act of breaking something
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
bulletnounUS /ˈbʊlət/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
chaparralnounUS /ˌʃæpərˈæl/
dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
dartverbUS /dɑːrt/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
franticadjectiveUS /ˈfræntɪk/
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
Garland's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
gropedverbUS /ɡroʊpt/
past form of “grope” — feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
hill'snounUS /hɪlz/
possessive form of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
menacedverbUS /ˈmenəst/
past form of “menace” — pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
moistadjectiveUS /mɔɪst/
slightly wet
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
nearbyadjectiveUS /ˈnɪrˈbaɪ/
close at hand
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
OUTLAWEDadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlɔːd/
contrary to or forbidden by law
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
pursuersnounUS /pərˈsuːərz/
plural of “pursuer” — a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
done under pressure
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
slantwiseadverb
at a slant; moving or directed in a slantwise position or direction
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
splashedadjectiveUS /splæʃt/
(of a fluid) having been propelled about in flying drops or masses
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
streamsnounUS /striːmz/
plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OUTLAWED The night and the chaparral had made Garland's escape possible.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
a special situation
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Then a bullet, tearing the leaves above his head, had pulled his scattered faculties together.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading A thing of gaping mouth and strained eyes, he had groped and rushed, torn between branches, splashed through streams, a menaced animal possessed by an animal's instinct for flight.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading He dropped and lay, crawled forward in a moist darkness, rose and made a slantwise dart across the hill's face, crouching as a bullet struck into a nearby trunk.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In those first moments, breaking through the thicket with the shots and shouts of his pursuers at his back, his mind had held nothing but a frantic fear.
