used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
(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 Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
of short duration or distance
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I might have spared my fears.
cell-mates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
confinementnounUS /kənˈfaɪnmənt/
concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
durationnounUS /ˈdʊˈreɪʃən/
the period of time during which something continues
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
divisible by two
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading But I might have spared my fears.
ferocious-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
frightnounUS /fraɪt/
an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But I might have spared my fears.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
imprisonmentnounUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt/
putting someone in prison or in jail as lawful punishment
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
incarcerationnounUS /ˌɪnkɑːrsərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being imprisoned
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
inflictedverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪktɪd/
past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
invadersnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdərz/
plural of “invader” — someone who enters by force in order to conquer
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
jailedadjectiveUS /dʒeɪld/
being in captivity
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
immediately past
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But I might have spared my fears.
a particular point in time
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
an amount of time
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
RaynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
shovedverbUS /ʃʌvd/
past form of “shove” — come into rough contact with while moving
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
in the near future
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading But I might have spared my fears.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
tormentsnounUS /ˈtɔːrments/
plural of “torment” — unbearable physical pain
From this reading And the period of my incarceration, though brief in duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at the extreme end of the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Beneath the Ray In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, weeks, or even months of confinement.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I would have chosen.
