used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
Abdul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
airshipnounUS /ˈerʃɪp/
a steerable self-propelled aircraft
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
alacritynounUS /əˈlækrəti/
liveliness and eagerness
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading “They’ve broken in,” cried Oliphant.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “They’ve broken in,” cried Oliphant.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
infuriatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfjʊrieɪtɪd/
marked by extreme anger
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
and nothing more
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
kasbahnoun
an older or native quarter of many cities in northern Africa; the quarter in which the citadel is located
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
manœuvring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
MoorsnounUS /mʊrz/
plural of “moor” — one of the Muslim people of north Africa; of mixed Arab and Berber descent; converted to Islam in the 8th century; conqueror of Spain in the 8th century
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
Oliphant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They’ve broken in,” cried Oliphant.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
on one occasion
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
reinforceverbUS /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs/
make stronger
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
rendingadjectiveUS /ˈrendɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
Schwab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
sheikhnounUS /ʃiːk/
the leader of an Arab village or family
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
not in physical motion
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
They've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They’ve broken in,” cried Oliphant.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
male cat
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
trapdoor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
which person or people
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
