used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading "Four stone walls and a flat ceiling," he said as he surveyed the apartment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
bangedverbUS /bæŋd/
past form of “bang” — strike violently
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I fancy I must be in the highest apartment in one of the flanking towers.
boltsnounUS /boʊlts/
plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
lacking funds
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading "Four stone walls and a flat ceiling," he said as he surveyed the apartment.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/
past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
dulledadjectiveUS /dʌld/
having lost or been caused to lose interest because of overexposure
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading "I fancy I must be in the highest apartment in one of the flanking towers.
flankingverbUS /ˈflæŋkɪŋ/
-ing form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading "I fancy I must be in the highest apartment in one of the flanking towers.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading "Four stone walls and a flat ceiling," he said as he surveyed the apartment.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading "Four stone walls and a flat ceiling," he said as he surveyed the apartment.
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
gratingnounUS /ˈɡreɪtɪŋ/
a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "I fancy I must be in the highest apartment in one of the flanking towers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
ten 10s
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I fancy I must be in the highest apartment in one of the flanking towers.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
and nothing more
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
medleynounUS /ˈmedli/
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
the force of workers available
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "I fancy I must be in the highest apartment in one of the flanking towers.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
OwennounUS /ˈoʊən/
Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Four stone walls and a flat ceiling," he said as he surveyed the apartment.
sandalsnounUS /ˈsændəlz/
plural of “sandal” — a shoe consisting of a sole fastened by straps to the foot
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
except for; apart from
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
shuffleverbUS /ˈʃʌfəl/
walk by dragging one's feet
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading "Four stone walls and a flat ceiling," he said as he surveyed the apartment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading "I fancy I must be in the highest apartment in one of the flanking towers.
tulwar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
vexationnoun
anger produced by some annoying irritation
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading "Four stone walls and a flat ceiling," he said as he surveyed the apartment.
which person or people
From this reading A Dangerous Frenchman "One hundred and forty steps up," thought Owen, as the door banged to after him, and he listened to the grating of the bolts, and then to the steps of the men who had conducted him to his prison now growing faint in the distance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then the roof is just overhead, and if----" He broke off suddenly and stamped his foot with vexation.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He could hear the shuffle of Eastern sandals as they slid down the stone stairs, the metallic ring of a tulwar striking the wall, and then silence--silence save for the medley of sound, dulled by distance, coming to him from the outside world.
