used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
clutchesnounUS /ˈklʌtʃəz/
the act of grasping
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
CONSULTATIONnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃən/
a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
CornwallisnounUS /kɔːrnˈwɔːləs/
commander of the British forces in the American War of Independence; was defeated by American and French troops at Yorktown (1738-1805)
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
Deering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
denounceverbUS /dɪˈnaʊns/
speak out against
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
having the place or position changed
From this reading “You seemed rather disturbed,” said he.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
helplessnessnounUS /ˈhelpləsnəs/
powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
luredverbUS /lʊrd/
past form of “lure” — provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
a particular point in time
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
of an obscure nature
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
powerlessadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərləs/
lacking power
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
quillnounUS /kwɪl/
pen made from a bird's feather
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
on the contrary
From this reading “You seemed rather disturbed,” said he.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “You seemed rather disturbed,” said he.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “You seemed rather disturbed,” said he.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
without speaking
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
express in speech
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
successive (without a break)
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
possessing sweep
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
Tarleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then a feeling of helplessness swept over him--a sense of being caught--of having been lured into the clutches of his foes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
ticknounUS /tɪk/
a metallic tapping sound
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He could not speak; at each tick of the clock he expected to hear them denounce him.
male cat
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But they did not; they bowed to him silently and advanced to the table at the centre of the room and sat down; Tarleton was looking straight at him, but gave not the slightest sign of having recognized him; Cornwallis had taken up a quill from the table, and was tapping with it upon the table, a flickering smile upon his face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
wide-openadjective
open wide
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading HOW TOM TOOK PART IN A MYSTERIOUS CONSULTATION FOR a moment Tom Deering was rendered powerless by the sudden shock of the surprise; he stood staring at the two British officers with wide-open eyes.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You seemed rather disturbed,” said he.
