used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
carelessnessnounUS /ˈkerləsnəs/
the quality of not being careful or taking pains
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
clickverbUS /klɪk/
move or strike with a noise
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
closetnounUS /ˈklɑːzət/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
COURT-MARTIALnounUS /ˈkɔːrtmɑːrʃəl/
a military court to try members of the armed services who are accused of serious breaches of martial law
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
culminateverbUS /ˈkʌlmɪneɪt/
end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
DRUMHEADnounUS /ˈdrʌmhed/
a membrane that is stretched taut over a drum
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
engrossingadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊsɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
hangingsnounUS /ˈhæŋɡɪŋz/
plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
Jonas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
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 He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
fasten with a lock
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
not any; not one
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
on one occasion
From this reading The negro, who had listened for the click of the key in the lock, had at once known of their carelessness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
the local environment
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
quick-wittedadjective
mentally nimble and resourceful
From this reading He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
in the near future
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
Thorne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Thorne’s entry and the circumstances of his apprehension had been so engrossing that no one had given a thought to Jonas, or to any other part of the house, for that matter, and he had been able to see everything through the hangings.
push forcefully
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
verdictnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
From this reading He was a quick-witted old negro, and he knew, of course, that there would be but one verdict given by such a court-martial as had assembled.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
in or at the place that
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
which person or people
From this reading THE DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL It so happened that the soldiers who had thrust old Jonas back in his closet, whence they had taken him a short time before, in their haste, had failed to lock the door upon him.
withdrawnadjectiveUS /wɪθˈdrɔːn/
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So soon as they had withdrawn from the room, and their search took them to other parts of the house, he had opened the door cautiously and had made his way toward the hall by the drawing-room, which he felt instinctively was the place where the exciting events of the night would soon culminate.
