Chapter XXIII

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

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

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

preventing entry or exit or a course of action

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

A large French country house or castle, often surrounded by expansive estates and private galleries.

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

relating to or based on or involving comparison

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

well in the past; former

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

move gently or carefully

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

(astronomy) the reappearance of a celestial body after an eclipse

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

performed comprehensively and completely; not superficial or partial

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

unproductive of success

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

highest in quality

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

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

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

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

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

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

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

engage in

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

the force of workers available

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

and nothing more

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.

elude, especially in a baffling way

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

a tallow candle with a rush stem as the wick

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.

get by special effort

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

in the near future

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

past form of “suffice” — be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity

From this reading However, a few moments sufficed to convince him that it was fruitless to look for a possible means of egress.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

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

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

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

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

producing little or no profit or gain

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

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

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading That had been his first thought, and, as soon as the bolts were shot and his guards departed, he devoted himself to an exhaustive but unprofitable examination of the place.

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

From this reading THE DUNGEON OF THE CHÂTEAU THE room in which the prisoner was confined was a small one in the cellar of the Château de Nançay, and was strong enough to resist his greatest efforts to effect an escape.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading There was but one door, that by which he had entered, and which was sufficiently secure to resist twenty men as well as one, unprovided as he was with any lever to force the bolts and bars; and the only window, situated too high for him to look out of, was two feet long by ten inches in height and barred.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was provided with a rushlight, and was thus enabled to make his observations with comparative ease.