used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
awaitverbUS /əˈweɪt/
look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
Barbara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
barracksnounUS /ˈbærəks/
plural of “barrack” — a building or group of buildings used to house military personnel
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
brutalitynounUS /bruːˈtæləti/
the trait of extreme cruelty
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
communicatingnounUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪŋ/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
conqueredverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkərd/
past form of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
Dorchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
HANGINGSnounUS /ˈhæŋɡɪŋz/
plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
hopefuladjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpfəl/
having or manifesting hope
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
militiamennounUS /məˈlɪʃəmɪn/
plural of “militiaman” — a member of the militia; serves only during emergencies
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
a particular point in time
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
and nothing more
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
the possibility of future success
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
on the contrary
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
SCARLETnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
sparselyadverbUS /ˈspɑːrsli/
in a sparse way
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
spiritedadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtɪd/
displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
successfullyadverbUS /səkˈsesfəli/
with success; in a successful manner
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
traitornounUS /ˈtreɪtər/
someone who betrays his country by committing treason
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
the topmost one of two
From this reading The prisoner passed to rooms on the upper floor through a rough, gaping crowd, and in some faces pity shone through brutality for a moment.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading SCARLET HANGINGS Barbara's prison was an old house in a narrow street of Dorchester, the ground floor of which had been turned into temporary barracks for soldiers and militiamen.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The rooms to which she was taken were sparsely furnished and rather dark, the windows looking out upon a blank wall, two rooms communicating, but with only a single entrance from the passage without.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Something worse than death might await so fair a traitor.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The most hopeful would have seen little prospect of escape, and the most spirited might wonder if depression could be successfully conquered in such surroundings.
