used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
(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 The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
bittenverbUS /ˈbɪtən/
inflected form of “bite” — to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
blindlyadverbUS /ˈblaɪndli/
without seeing or looking
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
exhale hard
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
coiledadjectiveUS /kɔɪld/
curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals)
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
being joined in close association
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
without stop or interruption
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
crotalusnoun
large rattlesnakes; seldom bite unless startled or pursuing prey
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
Dudley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
move gently or carefully
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
Greenwood's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
impactnounUS /ˌɪmˈpækt/
the striking of one body against another
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
an instinctive motive
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS.
inflictedverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪktɪd/
past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
a small worthless amount
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
for more time
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
on one occasion
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
person'snounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
possessive form of “person” — a human being
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
reptilenounUS /ˈreptaɪl/
any cold-blooded vertebrate of the class Reptilia including tortoises, turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, and extinct forms
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
respondedverbUS /rɪˈspɑːndɪd/
past form of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
rifle-barrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
scaredadjectiveUS /skerd/
made afraid
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
scrubverbUS /skrʌb/
clean with hard rubbing
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
serpentnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
unusual or striking
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
snakenounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading A person's first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which he looks after the wound he may have received.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
viciouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪʃəsli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
whip-lash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
which person or people
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the ease with which it is killed.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading The first impact of Fred Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The writer once ended the career of a huge specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash.
