used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
lacking funds
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
chaffverbUS /tʃæf/
be silly or tease one another
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
fibernounUS /ˈfaɪbər/
a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
GrossadjectiveUS /ɡroʊs/
before any deductions
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
jailernounUS /ˈdʒeɪlər/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
a boy or man
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
meditatingverbUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “meditate” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
not able to be found
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
Paddy'snounUS /ˈpædiz/
possessive form of “paddy” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Irish descent
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
readieradjectiveUS /ˈrediər/
comparative of “ready” — completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
reasonedadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənd/
logically valid
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
ReleasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/
an event that repeats
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
free from harm or evil
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
subordinateadjectiveUS /səˈbɔːrdəneɪt/
lower in rank or importance
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A RESCUE Released from his bonds, for the jailer had not replaced these, Peter Gross spent the hours in comparative comfort.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
thrillingadjectiveUS /ˈθrɪlɪŋ/
causing a surge of emotion or excitement
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading He amused himself in examining every inch of the cell in the faint hope that he might find a weak spot, and in meditating other plans of escape.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Late in the afternoon, while he was pacing his cell, the sharp crack of a rifle suddenly broke the forest stillness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Holding himself tense and rigid with every fiber thrilling at the thought of rescue, he listened for the repetition of the shot.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading Although missing Paddy's ready smile and readier chaff greatly, he did not worry about the lad, for since he was safe himself he reasoned that his subordinate must be.
