used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
assistedadjectiveUS /əˈsɪstɪd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
make certain of
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
a line of approach
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
carbines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
a person who is in charge
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
CorporalnounUS /ˈkɔːrpərəl/
a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
GUERILLAnounUS /ɡərˈɪlə/
a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
hopefuladjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpfəl/
having or manifesting hope
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
KnoxnounUS /nɑːks/
Scottish theologian who founded Presbyterianism in Scotland and wrote a history of the Reformation in Scotland (1514-1572)
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
come together
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
out-doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
having a point
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
REFRACTORYadjectiveUS /rəˈfræktəri/
not responding to treatment
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
ruffians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
cut with a saw
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They saw at least forty carbines pointed at them, and the staircase looked like a barred gate to them.
Tilford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
troopersnounUS /ˈtruːpərz/
plural of “trooper” — a soldier in a motorized army unit
From this reading The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Life Knox was passing around the house, assisted by Corporal Tilford, in readiness to meet the first attempt to resist the fate that was in store for them.
(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 The lieutenant stood at the front door, and occasionally stepped out-doors to assure himself that the house was well covered by his troopers.
which person or people
From this reading A REFRACTORY GUERILLA CHIEF The situation did not look hopeful to the ruffians who had taken possession of the mansion.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Their heavy footsteps could be heard in the lower story as they walked about from one window to another, searching for some avenue of escape.
