used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
(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 Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading He was beneath the pit-frame in the receiving-room, at the very mouth of the shaft.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
confusingadjectiveUS /kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/
causing confusion or disorientation
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
placed crosswise
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Suddenly two enormous yellow eyes pierced the darkness in front of him.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Suddenly two enormous yellow eyes pierced the darkness in front of him.
foot-bridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
set up or found
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Suddenly two enormous yellow eyes pierced the darkness in front of him.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
half-destroyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
ill-lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
immediately past
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
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 They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
the force of workers available
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading He was beneath the pit-frame in the receiving-room, at the very mouth of the shaft.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading Suddenly two enormous yellow eyes pierced the darkness in front of him.
pit-frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beneath the pit-frame in the receiving-room, at the very mouth of the shaft.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
receiving-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beneath the pit-frame in the receiving-room, at the very mouth of the shaft.
roamverbUS /roʊm/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
screening-shed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading He was beneath the pit-frame in the receiving-room, at the very mouth of the shaft.
shakyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪki/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly two enormous yellow eyes pierced the darkness in front of him.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Suddenly two enormous yellow eyes pierced the darkness in front of him.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was beneath the pit-frame in the receiving-room, at the very mouth of the shaft.
Voreux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After having mounted a dark and half-destroyed staircase, he found himself on a shaky foot-bridge; then he crossed the screening-shed, which was plunged in such profound darkness that he walked with his hands before him for protection.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They left him free to roam through the ill-lighted buildings, full of black holes, confusing with their complicated stories and rooms.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Suddenly two enormous yellow eyes pierced the darkness in front of him.
Étienne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Étienne had at last descended from the platform and entered the Voreux; he spoke to men whom he met, asking if there was work to be had, but all shook their heads, telling him to wait for the captain.
