used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
(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 For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
allottedadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːtɪd/
given as a task
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
in addition
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
a quantity of money
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
any thing at all
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
box-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
immediately past
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
engage in
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
TRAPnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
the act of testing something
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So, after tossing for hours on his hard bed and considering every aspect of his situation, he finally fell into a troubled sleep that lasted until morning.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Then, too, if he should escape, he would want daylight by which to guide his future movements.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FROM ONE TRAP INTO ANOTHER The light of another day was dimly penetrating those underground depths before our prisoner was prepared to make his last effort for liberty.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
(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 For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The thought of that box-like passage, through which he would be obliged to force his way without a chance of retreat, was so terrible that he shrank from it as we all shrink from anything dangerous or painful.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For all the aid he would receive from the pitiful amount allotted to him he might as well have started hours earlier; but while he longed to make the trial he also dreaded it.
