used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
anklesnounUS /ˈæŋkəlz/
plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
set up or found
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
fowlnounUS /faʊl/
a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
humiliatingadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmɪlieɪtɪŋ/
causing awareness of your shortcomings
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
inchnounUS /ɪntʃ/
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
jerkedverbUS /dʒɜːrkt/
past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
held up in the air
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
engage in
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
attach a tag or label to
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the force of workers available
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
not any; not one
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
perchnounUS /pɜːrtʃ/
support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
one of four equal parts
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
roughlyadverbUS /ˈrʌfli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
thudverbUS /θʌd/
make a dull sound
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
thumbnounUS /θʌm/
the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
thunderousadjectiveUS /ˈθʌndərəs/
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
Toussac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
unbearableadjectiveUS /ənˈberəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
which person or people
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
in the company of; together with
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
but in spite of that
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
