used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
ascendverbUS /əˈsend/
travel up
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
completely unclothed
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
black-robed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
bravestadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪvəst/
superlative of “brave” — possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
cellsnounUS /selz/
plural of “cell” — any small compartment
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
cravenadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪvən/
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
enduringadjectiveUS /enˈdjʊrɪŋ/
lasting a long time
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
Herman'snounUS /ˈhɜːrmənz/
possessive form of “herman” — United States jazz musician and bandleader (1913-1987)
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
InquisitionnounUS /ˌɪn.kwɪˈzɪʃ.ən/
A period of prolonged and intensive questioning or investigation.
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
go away from a place
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
LION'SnounUS /ˈlaɪənz/
possessive form of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
by chance
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
be standing; be upright
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
tormentorsnounUS /ˈtɔːrmentərz/
plural of “tormentor” — someone who torments
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Loving her as he did, he could not be so craven as to turn away and leave her in the hands of the tormentors!
undoneadjectiveUS /ənˈdʌn/
not done
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
unquestionableadjectiveUS /ənˈkwestʃənəbəl/
incapable of being questioned
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The bare suggestion in his mind that she might possibly have been done to death made his soul stand up in arms, and his hesitation was gone in an instant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading IN THE LION'S MOUTH For a little while Herman's courage failed him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To ascend those steps which he could see would probably mean such fearful experiences that the bravest of the brave might shrink back and leave his task undone.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet now that he had such unquestionable proof that Margaret had been at this door, and as certainly had entered it in the company of the black-robed ones of the Inquisition, how could he think other than that she was lying in one of the cells, if not already enduring torture?
