used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
alighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
in addition
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
anklesnounUS /ˈæŋkəlz/
plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ANOTHER ESCAPE.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
clankingadjectiveUS /ˈklæŋkɪŋ/
having a hard nonresonant metallic sound
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
decidingnounUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of reaching a decision
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
an old word for “before”
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading ANOTHER ESCAPE.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
foot-high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
come together
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
a particular point in time
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
not any; not one
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
sabresnounUS /ˈseɪbərz/
plural of “sabre” — a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
in the near future
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
having a supporting base
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then he paused a moment ere deciding what he should do next.
which person or people
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He alighted in the exact middle of the porch roof and fell with his ankles against the foot-high raised parapet.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading And he wondered that he heard no noise from the man watching within; wondered that he was not staring about for those who were coming; almost wondered that he was not standing at the door with it open, ready to go out and meet them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The sound of voices and clanking sabres were coming nearer--also it would soon now be light.
