used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/
an orderly arrangement
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
bracketsnounUS /ˈbrækəts/
plural of “bracket” — a category falling within certain defined limits
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
d'Aurilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
dazzledadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəld/
having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
dwellverbUS /dwel/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
opinion or judgment
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
a quick look
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
immobilitynounUS /ˌɪmoʊˈbɪlɪti/
remaining in place
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
men-at-arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
Roquefortnoun
French blue cheese
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
cut with a saw
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
shapelessadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpləs/
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
sirrahnoun
formerly a contemptuous term of address to an inferior man or boy; often used in anger
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
torchesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃɪz/
plural of “torch” — a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
torchlightnoun
light from a torch or torches
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
precisely as stated
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
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 QUESTION TWO torches blazing from brackets in the wall at the farther end threw fantastic shadows along the floor and up against the ceiling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “This way, sirrah!” called Roquefort, and then sat silent until I stood before him, the torchlight full upon my face.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For an instant, as I looked at them, my eyes were dazzled, and then I saw that on a platform below the lights sat Roquefort and by his side d’Aurilly.
belonging to which person
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading It was then I understood why the torches were so placed--the face of the judge in shadow--the face of the prisoner in full light.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A dozen men-at-arms stood guard, with something sinister and threatening in their very immobility, and in the corner to one side I caught a glimpse of an array of great, shapeless things, whose uses I did not permit my thoughts to dwell upon.
