used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
amazedadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
the lower side of anything
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
bowstringnoun
the string of an archer's bow
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
without doubt or question
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
half-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
only a very short time before
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
movesnounUS /muːvz/
plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
not any; not one
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
and nothing more
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
panelnounUS /ˈpænəl/
sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
pivotverbUS /ˈpɪvət/
turn on a pivot
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
cut with a saw
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
in the near future
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
stingernounUS /ˈstɪŋər/
a cocktail made of made of creme de menthe and brandy
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
move an implement through
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
a special situation
From this reading But if he had never seen such a thing before, it was no great marvel, for not many people had done so.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading So amazed was he that for a short time he could not stir hand or foot, and only stood staring at the panel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
the upper part of anything
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
trustworthyadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstwɜːrði/
worthy of trust or belief
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
turnstilenounUS /ˈtɜːrnstaɪl/
a gate consisting of a post that acts as a pivot for rotating arms; set in a passageway for controlling the persons entering
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
precisely as stated
From this reading He very soon, however, saw clearly enough that the panel really was open, and now stood half-way inside the room, half-way outside in the shadowy space beyond.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Charles could hardly believe his eyes, which, indeed, after that stinger from the bowstring, were for a minute or two not so trustworthy as usual.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading THE DARK PASSAGE The panel was turning round! slowly, but most surely turning round, much in the way that a turnstile moves, as if on a pivot or pin running from top to bottom of the wood.
