Chapter XVIII · The Bitterness of Death

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

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

moving forward

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

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

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

from appearances alone

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

in a state of sleep

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

plural of “corridor” — an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

slightly wet

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

coming down or downward

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

plural of “female” — an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

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

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

reflecting light

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

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

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

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

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

someone in charge of other people

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

light in a transparent protective case

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

immediately past

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

a particular point in time

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

not in physical motion

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

covered with or smelling of mold

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

causing or able to cause nausea

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

and nothing more

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

fully extended especially in length

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

above and across; more than

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

deeply absorbed in thought

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

get into a prostrate position, as in submission

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

worried and uneasy

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

plural of “socket” — a bony hollow into which a structure fits

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

wet through and through; thoroughly wet

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

plural of “spike” — a transient variation in voltage or current

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

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

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

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

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

in the direction of

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading At last he stepped in, and advancing to some mouldy straw that lay in a corner, spoke to the man outstretched upon it, motionless, and apparently asleep.

having a hemispherical vault or dome

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Along dark, damp passages, down slippery stairs, in and out of vaulted corridors, they made progress toward that dungeon one of the party had visited only the previous night.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading “Wake up, number five!” exclaimed the keeper, swaying his lantern to and fro over the prostrate man.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

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

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

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

From this reading The door was heavy, and so sodden with damp, that the iron-headed spikes rattled in their sockets as it was swung open, and they could see water-drops glistening thickly on the walls as the light was held into the dungeon a moment before Christopher entered.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

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

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That little group moved forward in silence; the guards restless and preoccupied; the two females, pale with expectation, and faint from the nauseous atmosphere into which they were descending.