adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/
from appearances alone
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “You are quite sure?”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading The sergeant’s voice broke in upon her misery.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
citizennounUS /ˈsɪtəzən/
a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
closelyadverbUS /ˈkloʊsli/
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
examinedverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmənd/
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
gatenounUS /ɡeɪt/
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
gatesnounUS /ɡeɪts/
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
gloomnounUS /ɡluːm/
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The sergeant’s voice broke in upon her misery.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sergeant’s voice broke in upon her misery.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
ironnounUS /ˈaɪərn/
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
keynounUS /kiː/
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 “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
lockverbUS /lɑːk/
fasten with a lock
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
lockedverbUS /lɑːkt/
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
massnounUS /mæs/
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
miserynounUS /ˈmɪzəri/
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading The sergeant’s voice broke in upon her misery.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
rearnounUS /rɪr/
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
sergeant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sergeant’s voice broke in upon her misery.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
stonenounUS /stoʊn/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “You are quite sure?”
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sergeant’s voice broke in upon her misery.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Quite certain, citizen; it is plain, solid stone at the back, and the only possible access to the interior is through the iron gate in front.”
turnsnounUS /tɜːrnz/
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The sergeant’s voice broke in upon her misery.
vagueadjectiveUS /veɪɡ/
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading The man had apparently done as the citizen agent had ordered, and had closely examined the little building that stood on the left--a vague, black mass more dense than the surrounding gloom.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The sergeant’s voice broke in upon her misery.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading “It is all solid stone, citizen,” he said; “iron gates in front, closed but not locked, rusty key in the lock, which turns quite easily; no windows or door in the rear.”
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You are quite sure?”
