Chapter VI · Chapter 6

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

an occurrence of something

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

causing confusion or disorientation

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

plural of “emergency” — a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

set up or found

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

a person of German nationality

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

absolutely essential

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

in the near future

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

a special situation

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

move through by or as by digging

From this reading THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.

at the time that

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

in or at the place that

From this reading But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.