Chapter XII · Fast and Loose

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

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

later than; following

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Left alone, Jonathan lighted a lamp, and, opening the trap-door, descended the secret stairs.

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

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

move towards

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.)

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

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

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

United States singer (1918-1990)

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

past form of “belie” — be in contradiction with

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

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

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading Left alone, Jonathan lighted a lamp, and, opening the trap-door, descended the secret stairs.

having lost your job

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

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

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

housing that someone is living in

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

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

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

red late-ripening apple; primarily eaten raw

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Left alone, Jonathan lighted a lamp, and, opening the trap-door, descended the secret stairs.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Left alone, Jonathan lighted a lamp, and, opening the trap-door, descended the secret stairs.

set afire or burning

From this reading Left alone, Jonathan lighted a lamp, and, opening the trap-door, descended the secret stairs.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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 A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

plural of “myrmidon” — a follower who carries out orders without question

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

absolutely essential

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

not any; not one

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

according to the clock

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Left alone, Jonathan lighted a lamp, and, opening the trap-door, descended the secret stairs.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

land and the buildings on it

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

a person who is being chased

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

Identical; not different.

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

apart from others

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

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

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Left alone, Jonathan lighted a lamp, and, opening the trap-door, descended the secret stairs.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

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

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

up to a particular time

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

having tracks

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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

From this reading Left alone, Jonathan lighted a lamp, and, opening the trap-door, descended the secret stairs.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

-ing form of “unlock” — open the lock of

From this reading Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.

An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

at the time that

From this reading Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault.

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

From this reading A long and secret conference then took place between the thief-taker and his myrmidons, after which they were severally dismissed.

which person or people

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.

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

From this reading About seven o'clock on the same night, Jonathan Wild's two janizaries, who had been for some time in attendance in the hall of his dwelling at the Old Bailey, were summoned to the audience-chamber.