used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
armournounUS /ˈɑːrmər/
a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
blanching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
concoctingverbUS /kənˈkɑːktɪŋ/
-ing form of “concoct” — make a concoction (of) by mixing
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
cordonnounUS /ˈkɔːrdən/
a series of sentinels or of military posts enclosing or guarding some place or thing
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
having the place or position changed
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
fireship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
set up or found
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
Garrulesi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
hostelrynoun
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
IMPRISONMENTnounUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt/
putting someone in prison or in jail as lawful punishment
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
and nothing more
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
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 His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
maturedadjectiveUS /məˈtjʊrd/
fully ripe; at the height of bloom
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
missivenounUS /ˈmɪsɪv/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
go across or through
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
only a very short time before
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
shuttledverbUS /ˈʃʌtəld/
past form of “shuttle” — travel back and forth between two points
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
spyverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
up to a particular time
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
at the time that
From this reading Just as dusk shuttled into dark he had matured his scheme, and we were about to put it into effect when the door of our room in the hostelry opened and a missive was delivered to each of us.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading An official spy had come down from the marble city; and this meant that a whole army of them in covered armour were in the neighbourhood and on the alert.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE HE went on board and I returned to my guide, whom I found greatly disturbed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had scarcely ears for an account of my interview with Garrulesi till I reached the story of his blanching at the sight of a stranger.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His alarm grew, and he was concocting a scheme for getting to my fireship, though he knew it would be almost impossible to pass through the cordon of state guards that was, he was certain, drawn round us.
