Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Yet he was not bereft of powers of action.

an administrative unit of government

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

in the past

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

Having no one else present.

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

extreme mental distress

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

preventing entry or exit or a course of action

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

unhappy in love; suffering from unrequited love

From this reading Yet he was not bereft of powers of action.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

make calm or still

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

an eye disease that involves the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

driving or forcing

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

(chess) an attack that is intended to counter the opponent's advantage in another part of the board

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

An underground room or vault beneath an ancient building, often used for storage or burials.

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

a young female

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

a vast multitude

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

not able to be computed or enumerated

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

darkened with overcast

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

4th President of the United States; member of the Continental Congress and rapporteur at the Constitutional Convention in 1776; helped frame the Bill of Rights (1751-1836)

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

pose a threat to; present a danger to

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

not any; not one

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

being in opposition or having an opponent

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

inflected form of “overhang” — project over

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

plural of “peril” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

thrust or throw into

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading Yet he was not bereft of powers of action.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

lack of agreement or harmony

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

past form of “tax” — levy a tax on

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

feeling intense pleasurable excitement

From this reading For now no sky overhung him, no human agency opposed him, no counterplay of stress and strife thrilled his blood.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

a large number or amount

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

under the level of the ground

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

not based on reason or evidence

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

the topmost one of two

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

past form of “wall” — surround with a wall in order to fortify

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Yet he was not bereft of powers of action.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The siege of the Horde at Madison Forest, the plunge down the cataract, the fall into the Abyss and the battle with the Lanskaarn had all taxed his courage to the utmost, but he had met these perils with more calm than he now faced the blank menace of that metal door.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading No; the girl and he now were far underground in a crypt, a tomb, walled round with incalculable tons of concrete, barred from the upper world, alone--and for the first time in his life the man knew something of the anguish of unreasoning fear.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading THE LEADEN CHEST Not at any time since the girl and he had wakened in the tower, more than a year ago, had Allan felt so compelling a fear as overswept him then.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet he was not bereft of powers of action.