Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

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

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

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

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

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

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

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

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

past form of “command” — be in command of

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

conveyance consisting of a wheeled support on which a camera can be mounted

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

an opposing military force

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

divisible by two

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

at any time

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

opinion or judgment

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

past form of “faint” — pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

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

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

a fictitious detective in stories by A. Conan Doyle

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

be the source of pain

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

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

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

a particular point in time

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

a form of address for a man

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

not any; not one

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

above and across; more than

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

money demanded for the return of a captured person

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

a cruel and brutal fellow

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

cut with a saw

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

in the near future

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

not in physical motion

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

refer for judgment or consideration

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

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

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

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

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

in the direction of

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading As soon as she was on deck a handkerchief was slipped over her eyes, and, though she could hear the low murmur of voices, and was almost sure that one was that of Mr. Holmes, her arch enemy, she could not be positive.

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

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

which person or people

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading Bessie had no choice in the matter for his hand covered her mouth, and, even had she wished to do so, she could not have cried out.

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

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.

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

From this reading So, utterly helpless, and almost ready to despair, Bessie had to submit to being carried up the little companion ladder that ran to the yacht's deck.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading DOLLY RANSOM MAKES GOOD "Keep still, and you won't be hurt!" commanded the man who held them.

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

From this reading In a moment, too, looking toward Zara, she saw that she had fainted, and her own predicament was made worse than ever, since the ruffian who held her could now devote all his attention to her.