used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
Chiffinch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
rid of obstructions
From this reading At least, I told myself, my conscience was clear.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading At least, I told myself, my conscience was clear.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
apart from; not including
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
faintestadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntəst/
superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
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 was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
temporary living quarters
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
Queen'snounUS /kwiːnz/
possessive form of “queen” — the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
precisely, exactly
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
not in physical motion
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
precisely as stated
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within.
Yeomen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs.
but in spite of that
From this reading Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself--for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter.
