Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

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

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

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

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

close fighting during the culmination of a military attack

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

United States educator who worked to improve race relations and educational opportunities for Black Americans (1875-1955)

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

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

From this reading “I suspected the little clown's laughter,” said he to himself.

guilt as an accomplice in a crime or offense

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

a long narrow depression in a surface

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

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

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

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

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

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

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “I suspected the little clown's laughter,” said he to himself.

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

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I suspected the little clown's laughter,” said he to himself.

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

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

the state of being imprisoned

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

a cry of sorrow and grief

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

the sound of laughing

From this reading “I suspected the little clown's laughter,” said he to himself.

plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “I suspected the little clown's laughter,” said he to himself.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

machines or machine systems collectively

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

not any; not one

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

inflected form of “pen” — produce a literary work

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

past form of “rouse” — become active

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I suspected the little clown's laughter,” said he to himself.

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

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

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

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

believed likely

From this reading “I suspected the little clown's laughter,” said he to himself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

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

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

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

From this reading “The key of the mystery lies between him and this absurd Baron, and I begin to guess at something of complicity on the part of M. Bethune.

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

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

up to a particular time

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

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

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

the feeling caused by disagreeable stimuli; one pole of a continuum of states of feeling

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

a combatant who is able to defeat rivals

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

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

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He felt with questioning fingers along the walls, finding no crevice to suggest outer air till he reached the window, and, alas! an escape from a window at that height seemed out of the question without some machinery at hand.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading Count Victor heard the woman's lamentation die away in the pit of the stair before he ceased to wonder at the sound and had fully realised the unpleasantness of his own incarceration.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.

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

From this reading It was the cries of the outer assault that roused him from mere amazement to a comprehension of the dangers involved in his being thus penned in a cell and his enemies kept at bay by some wooden bars and a wooden-head.