Chapter IX · Chapter 9

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

plural of “accomplishment” — the action of accomplishing something

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

confined by bonds

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

metal shackles; for hands or legs

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

plural of “collar” — a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

carefully weighed

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading DR.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

divisible by two

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

the entering of a legal document into the public record

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

emerged from an egg

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

fasten with a lock

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

of lesser importance or stature or rank

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

not any; not one

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

held or filled or in use

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

inflected form of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

and nothing more

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

win a victory over

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

plural of “permit” — a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

select carefully from a group

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

possessive form of “security” — the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

plural of “staple” — (usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

not in physical motion

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

carry out

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

precisely as stated

From this reading I'm very much afraid, however, even had we remembered this point, we should only have considered it of minor importance and one to be easily overcome.

a message informing of danger

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

at the time that

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading As it was, the unwelcome fact remained that the door _was_ locked, and, what was worse, that the lock itself had, for security's sake, been placed on the outside, so that there was no chance of our being able to pick it, even had our accomplishments lain in that direction.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading For if we had not been so completely occupied filing through the staples of our collars we should not have omitted to take into consideration the fact that, even when we should have removed the chains that bound us, we would still be prisoners in the room.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is as good a warning as any I know.