Chapter XX

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

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading This happened about eleven o'clock that morning.

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

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

plural of “alien” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

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

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

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

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

use to one's advantage

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

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

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

plural of “bin” — a container; usually has a lid

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

past form of “bolt” — move or jump suddenly

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

lacking funds

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

plural of “cellar” — the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

(of sounds) repeating by reflection

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

being one more than ten

From this reading This happened about eleven o'clock that morning.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

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

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

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

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

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

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading This happened about eleven o'clock that morning.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

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

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

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

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

readiness to embark on bold new ventures

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

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 Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

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

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading This happened about eleven o'clock that morning.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

according to the clock

From this reading This happened about eleven o'clock that morning.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

past form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

move hurridly

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

plural of “section” — a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

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

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

in or at that place or location

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

to that

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

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

From this reading This happened about eleven o'clock that morning.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

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

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

up to a particular time

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

the topmost one of two

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

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

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading We had already carried a dozen armloads of bottles up to our quarters from the bins below us, and there seemed little we could do now but wait, there in that echoing empty hall, until our foe took the initiative.

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

From this reading Geoff was ensconced behind an overturned table at the head of the great staircase, so he could at least hear everything that occurred.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

at the time that

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Marion and the doctor roamed the upper floor, watching developments from the windows; when the first rush came, they were to fire down on the enemies' heads.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.

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

From this reading Alec, Johnson, the Colonel and I were the ground floor garrison; we bolted off the east and west wings entirely, barricading the doors thereto with piles of lumber from the cellars so that if the aliens broke into those sections of the castle, it would avail them little.