used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
awaitverbUS /əˈweɪt/
look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
carefully weighed
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
contriveverbUS /kənˈtraɪv/
make or work out a plan for; devise
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
travel across or pass over
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
developmentsnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənts/
plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
dragoons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
drivewaynounUS /ˈdraɪvweɪ/
a road leading up to a private house
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
eying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
furiouslyadverbUS /ˈfjʊriəsli/
(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading At the door he was hastily checked, and a voice spoke peremptorily:
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the door he was hastily checked, and a voice spoke peremptorily:
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
to a considerable degree
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Here you, take the rein!"
hoof-beats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
of the present time and place
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
imprisonmentnounUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt/
putting someone in prison or in jail as lawful punishment
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
malevolentlyadverb
in a malevolent manner
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
muffleverbUS /ˈmʌfəl/
suppress in order to conceal or hide
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
peremptorilyadverb
in an imperative and commanding manner
From this reading At the door he was hastily checked, and a voice spoke peremptorily:
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
PURPOSESnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
on the contrary
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
reinverbUS /reɪn/
control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading "Here you, take the rein!"
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading At the door he was hastily checked, and a voice spoke peremptorily:
moving very fast
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
carry out
From this reading "Here you, take the rein!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They could not muffle my ears, however, and I heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being ridden furiously up the gravel driveway.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading At the door he was hastily checked, and a voice spoke peremptorily:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
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 My attempt at approaching the window was instantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the reading chair to await developments.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
but in spite of that
From this reading AT CROSS PURPOSES It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet it was useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for the door was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eying me rather malevolently.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Here you, take the rein!"
