used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
awnings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
BOATSWAINnounUS /ˈboʊtsweɪn/
a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
confined by bonds
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The polished teak-wood floor and the loose matting saved me from injury.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The polished teak-wood floor and the loose matting saved me from injury.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
injurynounUS /ˈɪndʒəri/
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading The polished teak-wood floor and the loose matting saved me from injury.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading The polished teak-wood floor and the loose matting saved me from injury.
engage in
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
mattedadjective
tangled in a dense mass
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
mattingnounUS /ˈmætɪŋ/
a covering of coarse fabric (usually of straw or hemp)
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
nastyadjectiveUS /ˈnæsti/
offensive or even (of persons) malicious
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading The polished teak-wood floor and the loose matting saved me from injury.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
recklessadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
red-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading The polished teak-wood floor and the loose matting saved me from injury.
shell-paned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
soundlyadverbUS /ˈsaʊndli/
deeply or completely
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
move hurridly
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
spillverbUS /spɪl/
cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
sprawlingnounUS /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/
an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
SPYverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
teak-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The polished teak-wood floor and the loose matting saved me from injury.
express in words
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
thrashverbUS /θræʃ/
give a thrashing to; beat hard
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
trailingnounUS /ˈtreɪlɪŋ/
the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading But I was bound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make him tell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
a Caucasian
From this reading I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threw myself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and we went sprawling into the corridor below.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was reckless speed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled down to keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a nasty spill, and I shot out on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me.
