Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

Having no one else present.

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

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

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

large but transportable armament

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

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

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

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

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

at any time

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

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

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

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

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

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

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

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 I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

a particular point in time

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

indulgence in moral pronouncements; the exposition (often superficially) of a particular moral code

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

not any; not one

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

many times at short intervals

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

and nothing more

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

above and across; more than

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

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

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

plural of “pry” — a heavy iron lever with one end forged into a wedge

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

have faith or confidence in

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

the act of gripping and pressing firmly

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

the feel of a surface or a fabric

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

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

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Only one possibility lay before me--there remained no choice, no necessity for planning.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

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

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

having come into contact

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

up to a particular time

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

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

From this reading I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY My own situation at this moment was too critical, too full of peril and uncertainty, to afford opportunity for moralizing over Bungay's chances of escape.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It is pure luck which pries open most doors of life, and it was upon luck alone I must rely now.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading I have often wondered since how I ever succeeded in squeezing my body through that narrow opening into the empty fireplace without at least knocking over something during the difficult passage.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading But I did manage, working my way down slowly, creeping inch by inch like a snake, carefully testing each object I touched in the darkness for fear of its proving loose, until I finally lay stretched at full length upon what was evidently, from its feeling, a carpet of unusually fine texture.