used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading But late that afternoon their hopes were dashed to the ground.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
antiqueadjectiveUS /ænˈtiːk/
made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Terry pleaded with the old man for she had a horror of being locked up.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But late that afternoon their hopes were dashed to the ground.
captivesnounUS /ˈkæptɪvz/
plural of “captive” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading But late that afternoon their hopes were dashed to the ground.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
dungeonnounUS /ˈdʌndʒən/
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
being one more than seven
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
feverishlyadverbUS /ˈfevərɪʃli/
in a feverish manner
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
fistnounUS /fɪst/
a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
gnarledadjectiveUS /nɑːrld/
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading But late that afternoon their hopes were dashed to the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
HeronnounUS /ˈherən/
Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading But late that afternoon their hopes were dashed to the ground.
intense and profound fear
From this reading Terry pleaded with the old man for she had a horror of being locked up.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
and nothing more
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
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 In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading But late that afternoon their hopes were dashed to the ground.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Terry pleaded with the old man for she had a horror of being locked up.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Terry pleaded with the old man for she had a horror of being locked up.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
MenacingadjectiveUS /ˈmenəsɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Terry pleaded with the old man for she had a horror of being locked up.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading Terry pleaded with the old man for she had a horror of being locked up.
PrimverbUS /prɪm/
assume a prim appearance
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
rackingadjectiveUS /ˈrækɪŋ/
causing great physical or mental suffering
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
witty remark
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
express in words
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
TerrynounUS /ˈteri/
English actress (1847-1928)
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But late that afternoon their hopes were dashed to the ground.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
hard to endure
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Terry pleaded with the old man for she had a horror of being locked up.
on a floor above
From this reading Just as Sally returned to the house and before she could tell them of her discovery, Jim Heron ordered his captives upstairs into a rear room under the roof.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Menacing Stranger Terry and Prim had been racking their brains, feverishly trying to plan some way of escape from their prison.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But late that afternoon their hopes were dashed to the ground.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In one gnarled fist he held a key, a rusty antique fully eight inches long, which looked as if it had been meant for a dungeon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Terry pleaded with the old man for she had a horror of being locked up.
