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Chapter XXX
THE STRANGE FARMER. Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened. It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him. He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand. The men were at the detective again.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The men were at the detective again.”
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.”
at or toward the back of something
From this reading “He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.”
people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers
From this reading “Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.”
up to a particular time
From this reading “He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The men were at the detective again.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The men were at the detective again.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were at the detective again.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRANGE FARMER.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were at the detective again.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRANGE FARMER.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STRANGE FARMER.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
up to a particular time
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard the terrific report and had seen the ball of fire as it descended, but he did not know for a moment that the man had been creeping up behind him until he saw the stone in his hand.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an instant before Nick fully realized the danger that had threatened him.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Hall and his comrades were panic-stricken; they could not seem to realize what had happened.
