Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

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

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

a ghostly appearing figure

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

move towards

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

carefully weighed

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

causing or capable of causing death

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

bringing death

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

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

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

a temporary passageway of planks (as over mud on a building site)

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

plural of “gas” — the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

usually; as a rule

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

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

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

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

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

incapable of being passed

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

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

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

and nothing more

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

immediately past

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

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

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

not in physical motion

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

a form of address for a man

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading On the other hand, Mr. Jones and his companion were equally, if not more greatly, dismayed.

A person who does not belong to a particular group or community; a stranger.

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

owed as a debt

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

past form of “station” — assign to a station

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

supernatural forces and events and beings collectively

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

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

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

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

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

a convict who is considered trustworthy and granted special privileges

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

without warning or announcement

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

precisely as stated

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

a message informing of danger

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

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

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

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

From this reading They had not considered the possibility of an approach from the rear through the abandoned workings, for they were generally believed to be impassable owing to deadly gases and the quantity of material that had fallen in them.

which person or people

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

belonging to which person

From this reading Thus the unannounced appearance of the very persons whose fate they had just been discussing seemed almost supernatural, and a feeling of dread pervaded the assembly.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

the internal mechanism of a device

From this reading Having stationed a trusty sentinel at the end of the gangway nearest the new workings, who was to give them instant warning of the approach of any outsider, they imagined themselves perfectly safe from interruption.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading A FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP At this startling apparition of the last two persons in the world whom they would have expected to see in that place, the assembled miners remained for some moments motionless with astonishment.