used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
on or to one side
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading “Bring him in, Dirrag,” he said.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
Colonel'snounUS /ˈkɜːrnəlz/
possessive form of “colonel” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
connectingverbUS /kəˈnektɪŋ/
-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
declarationnounUS /ˌdeklərˈeɪʃən/
a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
Dirrag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Bring him in, Dirrag,” he said.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
a man of refinement
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
haggardadjectiveUS /ˈhæɡərd/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Bring him in, Dirrag,” he said.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Bring him in, Dirrag,” he said.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Bring him in, Dirrag,” he said.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
Janet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
PersiannounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Bring him in, Dirrag,” he said.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
a male human offspring
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Colonel’s face, as his staring eyes fell upon his son, was gray and haggard, but the old gentleman seemed to have exhausted his capacity for being surprised.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CHAMBER OF DEATH The silence that followed Janet’s declaration was broken by the tramp of feet along the connecting passage, followed by an abrupt knock upon the door.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Slowly the little band of warriors entered, bearing between them a limp form which they laid gently upon a couch.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The Persian opened it, glanced without, and then stood aside.
