used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
ArnoldnounUS /ˈɑːrnəld/
English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The light came, of course, from a window of “Water Castle.”
an occurrence of something
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The light came, of course, from a window of “Water Castle.”
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The light came, of course, from a window of “Water Castle.”
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
someone who is a detective
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
without deviation
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The light came, of course, from a window of “Water Castle.”
grippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
gutturaladjectiveUS /ˈɡʌtərəl/
like the sounds of frogs and crows
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
issuingnounUS /ˈɪʃuːɪŋ/
the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
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 It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
loopholenounUS /ˈluːphoʊl/
an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
Muriel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
ray-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
shutternounUS /ˈʃʌtər/
a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
having a supporting base
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was so small and ray-like that he knew it must be issuing from the open loophole of a closed shutter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The light came, of course, from a window of “Water Castle.”
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading In another minute Sergeant John Dick was standing on the western shore of the lake, looking across its dark waters at a bright light shining out in the middle of these, almost directly opposite him.
at the time that
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Startled beyond measure, he faced in the direction of the sound, and crouched down instinctively as he did so, pointing his revolver, which he was already gripping in case of need, and breathing hard and fast.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The light came, of course, from a window of “Water Castle.”
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was considering whether it would be quite safe to fire the three shots that Muriel Arnold had told him was the signal “want to come off shore,” when suddenly a guttural voice spoke quite close to him--a word or two in the Indian tongue.
