affianced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
ButlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
Cade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
confrontingverbUS /kənˈfrʌntɪŋ/
-ing form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
contractingnounUS /ˈkɑːntræktɪŋ/
becoming infected
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
daughter'snounUS /ˈdɔːtərz/
possessive form of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
dazzledadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəld/
having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
dreadfullyadverbUS /ˈdredfəli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
ever-deepening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/
past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
hunting-knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
go away from a place
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
limberadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmbər/
(used of e.g. personality traits) readily adaptable
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
attach to a support
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
not any; not one
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
poisedadjectiveUS /pɔɪzd/
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
an angry dispute
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
quaveredverbUS /ˈkweɪvərd/
past form of “quaver” — give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
Renard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
slammedverbUS /slæmd/
inflected form of “slam” — close violently
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
sneerverbUS /snɪr/
express through a scornful smile
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
twitchingnounUS /ˈtwɪtʃɪŋ/
a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
unsheathedadjective
not having a protective covering
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
weaponlessadjective
without a weapon
From this reading Now, weaponless and alone, Butler stood confronting us, his blank eyes travelling from one to another, his thin lips twitching in an ever-deepening sneer.
at the time that
From this reading Nor did the sneer leave his face when Mount slammed and locked the door behind him, and unsheathed his broad hunting-knife.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading "Something is dreadfully wrong, gentlemen," quavered poor Cade Renard; "this is Captain Butler, my daughter's affianced.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading He hesitated, poised on the threshold, his yellow eyes contracting, dazzled by the candle; then, like lightning, his sword glittered in his hand, but Mount, behind him, tore the limber blade from his grip and flung it ringing at my feet.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I pray you follow no ancient quarrel under my roof, gentlemen.
