used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A THING IMPOSSIBLE IN GASLIGHT.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
(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 These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
bayonetsnounUS /ˈbeɪənets/
plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
cadencedadjective
marked by a rhythmical cadence
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
being one more than seven
From this reading Seven or eight soldiers were entering the street.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Seven or eight soldiers were entering the street.
exploringverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
many times at short intervals
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
GASLIGHTnounUS /ˈɡæslaɪt/
light yielded by the combustion of illuminating gas
From this reading A THING IMPOSSIBLE IN GASLIGHT.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading A THING IMPOSSIBLE IN GASLIGHT.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A THING IMPOSSIBLE IN GASLIGHT.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
Javert's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
lanesnounUS /leɪnz/
plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
a particular point in time
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Seven or eight soldiers were entering the street.
peepverbUS /piːp/
look furtively
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Seven or eight soldiers were entering the street.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Seven or eight soldiers were entering the street.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
carry out
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
a special situation
From this reading A THING IMPOSSIBLE IN GASLIGHT.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He could see their bayonets gleaming, and they were coming toward him.
Valjean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading At this moment a hollow, cadenced sound began to grow audible a short distance off, and Jean Valjean ventured to take a peep round the corner of the street.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Seven or eight soldiers were entering the street.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading These soldiers, at the head of whom he distinguished Javert's tall form, advanced slowly and cautiously, and frequently halted; it was plain that they were exploring all the corners and all the doors and lanes.
