adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Its appearance at any time must have been gruesome.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Its appearance at any time must have been gruesome.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
aspectnounUS /ˈæspekt/
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
assumedadjectiveUS /əˈsuːmd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Its appearance at any time must have been gruesome.
barbarousadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːrbərəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Its appearance at any time must have been gruesome.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading THE LOVERS’ TOWER The torture-chamber showed beneath him.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
captivenounUS /ˈkæptɪv/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
chainedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪnd/
bound with chains
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
dividedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪd/
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
gleamsnounUS /ɡliːmz/
plural of “gleam” — an appearance of reflected light
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
gruesomeadjectiveUS /ˈɡruːsəm/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading Its appearance at any time must have been gruesome.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Its appearance at any time must have been gruesome.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE LOVERS’ TOWER The torture-chamber showed beneath him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
LOVERSnounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading THE LOVERS’ TOWER The torture-chamber showed beneath him.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
mildewnounUS /ˈmɪlduː/
the process of becoming mildewed
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
moistenedverbUS /ˈmɔɪsənd/
past form of “moisten” — make moist
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Its appearance at any time must have been gruesome.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
portionsnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃənz/
plural of “portion” — something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
roofnounUS /ruːf/
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE LOVERS’ TOWER The torture-chamber showed beneath him.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
slantingadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
smellnounUS /smel/
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
sonsnounUS /sʌnz/
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
Sébastiani
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LOVERS’ TOWER The torture-chamber showed beneath him.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Its appearance at any time must have been gruesome.
torture-chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOVERS’ TOWER The torture-chamber showed beneath him.
TOWERnounUS /ˈtaʊər/
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading THE LOVERS’ TOWER The torture-chamber showed beneath him.
trickledverbUS /ˈtrɪkəld/
past form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
truckle-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
unequaladjectiveUS /əˈniːkwəl/
poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
visionnounUS /ˈvɪʒən/
a vivid mental image
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — 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 A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading It was a large, irregular room, divided into unequal portions by the four wide, massive pillars that supported its arched roof.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But, at that moment, with the tall figures of Sébastiani and his sons, with the slanting gleams of light that fell between the pillars, with the vision of the captive chained down upon the truckle-bed, it assumed a sinister and barbarous aspect.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A smell of damp and mildew came from its walls and from its flags moistened by the water that trickled from without.
