used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
anew
From this reading Then, as the other withdrew his own hand from the blade, they went on again.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
AndrewnounUS /ˈændruː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
awaitsverbUS /əˈweɪts/
third-person singular of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
for the reason that
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
Bois-Vallée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
Bois-Vallée's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
daggernounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/
A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then, as the other withdrew his own hand from the blade, they went on again.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
a particular point in time
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
not any; not one
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
obscuritynounUS /əbsˈkjʊrəti/
the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, as the other withdrew his own hand from the blade, they went on again.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Then, as the other withdrew his own hand from the blade, they went on again.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
perceptibleadjectiveUS /pərˈseptəbəl/
capable of being perceived by the mind or senses
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
shortenedadjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtənd/
cut short
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
slayverbUS /sleɪ/
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
in a swift manner
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, as the other withdrew his own hand from the blade, they went on again.
in or at that place or location
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, as the other withdrew his own hand from the blade, they went on again.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
up to a particular time
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
having come into contact
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
treacherynounUS /ˈtretʃ.ər.i/
Betrayal of trust; deceptive action or disloyalty against a host or ally.
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
the act of using
From this reading ESCAPE Andrew shortened his sword at this time, for, since he could not doubt that De Bois-Vallée intended treachery, he meant to slay him at the first moment that treachery became apparent; meant to use the sword as a dagger and, striking down swiftly under the other's left shoulder, end him.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then, as the other withdrew his own hand from the blade, they went on again.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "He must know full well now," thought Andrew to himself, "what awaits him if he plays me false."
in or at the place that
From this reading Took, too, his hand and placed it against his own where it grasped the blade low down, and ran that hand along it till it touched the point.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Then, as the other withdrew his own hand from the blade, they went on again.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading That there should be no doubt of his intention, and because his action might not be perceptible in the obscurity around them, he whispered in De Bois-Vallée's ear a word to that effect.
