used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A COMBAT WITH THE RAPIERS.
anew
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading The man who confronted him paused in amazement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
CarternounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/
Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
COMBATnounUS /ˈkɑːmbæt/
an engagement fought between two military forces
From this reading A COMBAT WITH THE RAPIERS.
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading The man who confronted him paused in amazement.
confrontingverbUS /kənˈfrʌntɪŋ/
-ing form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
fatedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtɪd/
(usually followed by “to”) determined by tragic fate
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The man who confronted him paused in amazement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
and nothing more
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
on one occasion
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading The man who confronted him paused in amazement.
continue talking
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
RAPIERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMBAT WITH THE RAPIERS.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A COMBAT WITH THE RAPIERS.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was fated that Nick Carter was not to proceed at once to the tower of the castle.
at the time that
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
in or at the place that
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The distance from where he turned again toward the front of the building, to that part of it which might properly be called the tower, was some hundreds of feet, and he had gone not more than half the distance when, just as he was passing a door, it was opened suddenly and a man stepped out upon the corridor, confronting him.
which person or people
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A COMBAT WITH THE RAPIERS.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be difficult to determine which of the two was the more greatly surprised by the encounter, but it was certainly the detective who recovered from it first.
