adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading O'Brien answered me with a "Pish!
appropriatedverbUS /əˈproʊprieɪtɪd/
past form of “appropriate” — give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
buildverbUS /bɪld/
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/
past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
densnounUS /denz/
plural of “den” — the habitation of wild animals
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/
the act of escaping physically
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
examinedverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmənd/
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
exteriornounUS /ɪkˈstɪriər/
the region that is outside of something
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
fortressnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a fortified defensive structure
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
Givet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
largeradjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
lean-tonoun
rough shelter whose roof has only one slope
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
lieutenantnounUS /luːˈtenənt/
a commissioned military officer
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading O'Brien answered me with a "Pish!
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
O'BriennounUS /oʊˈbraɪɪn/
Irish writer (born in 1932)
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
opinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
Pish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O'Brien answered me with a "Pish!
practicabilitynoun
the quality of being usable
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
prisonersnounUS /ˈprɪzənərz/
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
receivesverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
sentrynounUS /ˈsentri/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
squareverbUS /skwer/
make square
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
surroundedadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪd/
confined on all sides
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
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 We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
yardnounUS /jɑːrd/
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.
