used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
ape-man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
ApesnounUS /eɪps/
plural of “ape” — any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
darkened by smoke
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
brilliantlyadverbUS /ˈbrɪljəntli/
with brightness
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
the act of burning something
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
collectverbUS /kəˈlekt/
get or gather together
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
diameternounUS /daɪˈæmətər/
the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
without deviation
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
dominateverbUS /ˈdɑːməneɪt/
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
earthenadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθən/
made of earth (or baked clay)
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
set up or found
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
set afire or burning
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
not any; not one
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
noticeableadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəsəbəl/
capable or worthy of being noticed
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
being perceived or observed
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
regainedverbUS /riˈɡeɪnd/
past form of “regain” — get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
cut with a saw
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
TarzannounUS /ˈtɑːrzæn/
(sometimes used ironically) a man of great strength and agility (after the hero of a series of novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs)
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The lights, being the most noticeable things in the room, had been the first to attract the ape-man's attention, but now his eyes wandered to the other occupants of the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As he first opened his eyes, before complete consciousness returned, he noticed that the room was well, but not brilliantly, lighted, and that there were others there besides himself.
at the time that
From this reading When Tarzan of the Apes regained consciousness he found himself lying upon an earthen floor in a large chamber.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
wicknounUS /wɪk/
any piece of cord that conveys liquid by capillary action
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
wristnounUS /rɪst/
a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading Each supported a wick fully as large as a man's wrist and though the manner of their burning was similar to the candles with which he was familiar, yet they gave off no smoke, nor were the beams and boards of the ceiling directly above them smoke blackened.
but in spite of that
From this reading Later, as he commenced to collect and dominate his faculties of thought he saw that the room was lighted by two immense candles that appeared to be fully three feet in diameter and, though evidently partially melted away, yet at least five feet tall.
