used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The latch was lifted, and he entered.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The latch was lifted, and he entered.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "_Sangbleu!_" he exclaimed, and started back, more in wonder than fear.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading "_Sangbleu!_" he exclaimed, and started back, more in wonder than fear.
ferociousadjectiveUS /fərˈoʊʃəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
start firing a weapon
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The latch was lifted, and he entered.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
latchverbUS /lætʃ/
fasten with a latch
From this reading The latch was lifted, and he entered.
held up in the air
From this reading The latch was lifted, and he entered.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
a particular point in time
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "_Sangbleu!_" he exclaimed, and started back, more in wonder than fear.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
Sangbleu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Sangbleu!_" he exclaimed, and started back, more in wonder than fear.
get rid of
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
with low volume
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
the season of growth
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "_Sangbleu!_" he exclaimed, and started back, more in wonder than fear.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading THE STRUGGLE.
suffocatedverbUS /ˈsʌfəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “suffocate” — deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "_Sangbleu!_" he exclaimed, and started back, more in wonder than fear.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STRUGGLE.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
vengeancenounUS /ˈvendʒəns/
the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The latch was lifted, and he entered.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading The excitement, the ferocious joy of anticipated vengeance, nearly suffocated me, as, softly drawing back the bolt of the door, I retired into a dark corner, from whence I meant to spring upon him.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading "_Sangbleu!_" he exclaimed, and started back, more in wonder than fear.
wretchnounUS /retʃ/
performs some wicked deed
From this reading At that moment, as if stirred by an invisible hand, the embers of the dying fire shot into a flame that shed a red light over all the squalid apartment, and thus the wretch detected me in an instant.
