used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
anew
From this reading Marion asked me again and again.
aliensnounUS /ˈeɪliənz/
plural of “alien” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What are they doing?"
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Marion asked me again and again.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
placed in a grave
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading "What are they doing?"
at any time
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
longestadverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡəst/
for the most time
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
Marion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marion asked me again and again.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Marion asked me again and again.
nearbyadjectiveUS /ˈnɪrˈbaɪ/
close at hand
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
ringedadjectiveUS /rɪŋd/
shaped like a ring
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
slugnounUS /slʌɡ/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading "Why are they waiting?"
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
watchfulnessnoun
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What are they doing?"
which person or people
From this reading The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why are they waiting?"
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 The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through.
