used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
(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 At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
blockhousenounUS /ˈblɑːkhaʊs/
a stronghold that is reinforced for protection from enemy fire; with apertures for defensive fire
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
bulletnounUS /ˈbʊlət/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
commandsnounUS /kəˈmændz/
plural of “command” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
dumbfoundedadjectiveUS /ˈdʌmfaʊndɪd/
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Suppose the occupants of the wooden fort should fire upon him?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Suppose the occupants of the wooden fort should fire upon him?
foursnounUS /fɔːrz/
plural of “four” — the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
Haud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Suppose the occupants of the wooden fort should fire upon him?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
loopholenounUS /ˈluːphoʊl/
an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
monnounUS /moʊn/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading Suppose the occupants of the wooden fort should fire upon him?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
OTTERnounUS /ˈɑːtər/
the fur of an otter
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
by chance
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
RAIDverbUS /reɪd/
search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Suppose the occupants of the wooden fort should fire upon him?
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
express a supposition
From this reading Suppose the occupants of the wooden fort should fire upon him?
sword-thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Suppose the occupants of the wooden fort should fire upon him?
viciouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪʃəsli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
someone who visits
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading At this idea he dropped upon all fours and it is perhaps well that he did so, for one bullet did come from a loophole, singing viciously above his head.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading Suppose the occupants of the wooden fort should fire upon him?
the words that are spoken
From this reading He heard low voices and words which sounded like military commands.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE OTTER CREEK RAID The late visitor at the Otter Creek settlement shrank away from the door and, dumbfounded by the sword-thrust which was evidently meant for his heart instead of his coat, waited to see what the next move of those in the blockhouse would be.
yir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then an angry voice of command rose on the night air: "Haud yir hand, mon!
