Chapter VI · The Caravan

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

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

a defendant in a criminal proceeding

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

later than; following

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

(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 All search for the escaped criminal proved vain.

someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

from appearances alone

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure

From this reading All search for the escaped criminal proved vain.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

the act of departing

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading All search for the escaped criminal proved vain.

divisible by two

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

plural of “fog” — droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All search for the escaped criminal proved vain.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

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

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

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

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

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

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

decreed by or proceeding from a court of justice

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

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

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

showing or giving mercy

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

not able to be found

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

established beyond doubt

From this reading All search for the escaped criminal proved vain.

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

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

on the contrary

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading All search for the escaped criminal proved vain.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

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

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

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

From this reading All search for the escaped criminal proved vain.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

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

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

dangerously unstable and unpredictable

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

not seen or observed

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.

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

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading All search for the escaped criminal proved vain.

having passed out of existence

From this reading Herries had vanished as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up, after the fashion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

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

From this reading But it was better--at least the accused man appeared to have thought so--to risk even so stifling a death, rather than face the more judicial and merciful one of the gallows.

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

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Certainly he did not know the neighbourhood and, in that treacherous marsh-land, ran every chance of missing his way in the fogs, to fall into some water-hole.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Apparently, he had noted the departure of the amateur guards from their post below the window, and had seized the chance of getting away unobserved.