used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RESCUE.
abductionnounUS /æbˈdʌkʃən/
the criminal act of capturing and carrying away by force a family member; if a man's wife is abducted it is a crime against the family relationship and against the wife
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For a short time he hesitated as to the course he should take.
assailantsnounUS /əˈseɪlənts/
plural of “assailant” — someone who attacks
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
astoundedadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
captorsnounUS /ˈkæptərz/
plural of “captor” — a person who captures and holds people or animals
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
concealmentnounUS /kənˈsiːlmənt/
the condition of being concealed or hidden
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading For a short time he hesitated as to the course he should take.
Cuthbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
a female human offspring
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
Evesham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
fortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading For a short time he hesitated as to the course he should take.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
men-at-arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
not any; not one
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
reinforcedadjectiveUS /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrst/
given added strength or support
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
RESCUEverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading A RESCUE.
rootedadjectiveUS /ˈruːtəd/
absolutely still
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
only a very short time before
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading For a short time he hesitated as to the course he should take.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading For a short time he hesitated as to the course he should take.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
carry out
From this reading For a short time he hesitated as to the course he should take.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a short time he hesitated as to the course he should take.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
unnoticedadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊtɪst/
not noticed
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
at the time that
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
in or at the place that
From this reading Cuthbert was so astounded at the sudden calamity that he remained rooted to the ground at the spot where, fortunately for himself, unnoticed by the assailants, he had stood when they first burst from their concealment.
which person or people
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole of the startling scene of the abduction of the Earl of Evesham's daughter occupied but a few seconds.
belonging to which person
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The men-at-arms who remained in the castle were scarce strong enough to rescue the child, whose captors would no doubt be reinforced by a far stronger party lurking near.
