used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LATE VISITOR.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Was it to shield him from the attacks of her confederates?
balesnounUS /beɪlz/
plural of “bale” — a large bundle bound for storage or transport
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
confederatesnounUS /kənˈfedərəts/
plural of “confederate” — a supporter of the Confederate States of America
From this reading Was it to shield him from the attacks of her confederates?
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
flounderedverbUS /ˈflaʊndərd/
past form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
set up or found
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it to shield him from the attacks of her confederates?
kegsnounUS /keɡz/
plural of “keg” — the quantity contained in a keg
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A LATE VISITOR.
luckilyadverbUS /ˈlʌkəli/
by good fortune
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
resting-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
shieldnounUS /ʃiːld/
a protective covering or structure
From this reading Was it to shield him from the attacks of her confederates?
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
suddennessnounUS /ˈsʌdənnəs/
the quality of happening with headlong haste or without warning
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
Tregenna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
precisely as stated
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
someone who visits
From this reading A LATE VISITOR.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Tregenna was so much taken by surprise by the suddenness of the attack made upon him by Ann, that he did not realize her intention until he found himself lying on something which was luckily not very hard, on the cellar floor, in complete darkness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading He floundered about in the darkness, with difficulty finding a footing, and wondered in what spirit Ann had made him thus a prisoner.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had not had far to fall; for the bales of silk which had been flung in from above were piled high, and made, moreover, a more comfortable resting-place than kegs of spirits would have done.
