used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
(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 There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
apenounUS /eɪp/
any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
Babette's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
buttressverbUS /ˈbʌtrəs/
reinforce with a buttress
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
put or send forth
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
clenchedadjectiveUS /klentʃt/
closed or squeezed together tightly
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
d'Or
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
daggernounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/
A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
darkestadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkəst/
superlative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
divisible by two
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
forwardsadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərdz/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
death of a person
From this reading There was no sound, however; all was still as the grave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There was no sound, however; all was still as the grave.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
an instinctive motive
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
a particular point in time
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
moss-grownadjective
overgrown with moss
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no sound, however; all was still as the grave.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
a person who is being chased
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
scaledadjectiveUS /skeɪld/
having the body covered or partially covered with thin horny plates, as some fish and reptiles
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading There was no sound, however; all was still as the grave.
spikesnounUS /spaɪks/
plural of “spike” — a transient variation in voltage or current
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
be standing; be upright
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
not in physical motion
From this reading There was no sound, however; all was still as the grave.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
studdedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdɪd/
dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
Toison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
the upper part of anything
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Not even an ape could have scaled the moss-grown and slippery surface of those stones, and, leaning against a buttress in the darkest corner of the wall, I stood for a moment or so and waited, determined to sell my life as dearly as possible should I be pursued.
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 There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There I was brought to a stand by a dead wall, studded with iron spikes at the top, which rose sheer above me for fully twenty feet and barred all further progress.
wicketnounUS /ˈwɪkət/
cricket equipment consisting of a set of three stumps topped by crosspieces; used in playing cricket
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A COUNCIL OF WAR As I slipped through the wicket I cast a hurried glance around me, and then, acting on the impulse of the moment, ran forwards along the road for about fifty paces, with Babette's dagger clenched in my hand.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading It was evident that the Toison d'Or stood in a blind alley, and that I had taken the wrong turning.
