Chapter XVIII · The Call Out of Kingsford

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

anew

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

(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 But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Dick!” he called again, so there came a little echo from the end of the corridor.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “Dick!” he called again, so there came a little echo from the end of the corridor.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

rid of obstructions

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

lively and spirited

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

someone who is a detective

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

to say again or imitate

From this reading “Dick!” he called again, so there came a little echo from the end of the corridor.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading “Dick!” he called again, so there came a little echo from the end of the corridor.

an old word for “before”

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

with the head foremost

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

the act of retaining something

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

and nothing more

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “Dick!” he called again, so there came a little echo from the end of the corridor.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

fully extended especially in length

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

above and across; more than

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

from that place or that time

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “Dick!” he called again, so there came a little echo from the end of the corridor.

having come into contact

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

inflected form of “trip” — miss a step and fall or nearly fall

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Just inside the door of the inn was a steep flight of steps; Hugh tripped over the first, but, almost ere his outstretched hand touched the floor, was on his feet again and rushing up the stairway.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading But in the corridor above-stairs all was quiet, he noted in the instant in which he paused, holding his breath, and gazed at the closed doors along the gallery.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then he ran headlong for the nearest door, and, dashing it open with his foot, flung himself well into the centre of the chamber.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading As he ran he pulled his sword clear from the scabbard; if matters were so ill Dick wished him thence, he would have need of it.