used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
bulbousadjectiveUS /ˈbʌlbəs/
shaped like a bulb
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
checkingverbUS /ˈtʃekɪŋ/
-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading His body crashed gently; he was sprawled face downward on stone that was smooth and cold.
crashedverbUS /kræʃt/
past form of “crash” — fall or come down violently
From this reading His body crashed gently; he was sprawled face downward on stone that was smooth and cold.
crashingadjectiveUS /ˈkræʃɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
DeannounUS /diːn/
an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
eonsnounUS /ˈiːənz/
plural of “eon” — the longest division of geological time
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
eternitynounUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəti/
time without end
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His body crashed gently; he was sprawled face downward on stone that was smooth and cold.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
in a gradual manner
From this reading His body crashed gently; he was sprawled face downward on stone that was smooth and cold.
glassyadjectiveUS /ˈɡlæsi/
resembling glass in smoothness and shininess and slickness
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
irregularitynounUS /ˌɪreɡjəˈlerəti/
behavior that breaches the rule or etiquette or custom or morality
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
immediately past
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
mawnounUS /mɔː/
informal terms for the mouth
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
come together
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His body crashed gently; he was sprawled face downward on stone that was smooth and cold.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
plungeverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
plungingverbUS /ˈplʌndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
Rawson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading His body crashed gently; he was sprawled face downward on stone that was smooth and cold.
sprawledverbUS /sprɔːld/
past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
From this reading His body crashed gently; he was sprawled face downward on stone that was smooth and cold.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading His body crashed gently; he was sprawled face downward on stone that was smooth and cold.
supportingadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
furnishing support and encouragement
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And, after more eons of time, a rocky floor rose slowly to meet him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
volcano'snounUS /vɑːlˈkeɪnoʊz/
possessive form of “volcano” — a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To Dean Rawson, plunging down into the volcano's maw, each second was an eternity, for, in each single instant, he was expecting crashing death.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
in or at the place that
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading _The Darkness_ Darkness; and red fires that seemed whirling about him as his body twisted in air.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading Then he knew that long arms were wrapped about him, holding him, supporting him, checking his downward plunge ... and at last the glassy walls, where each bulbous irregularity shone red with reflected light, moved slowly past.
