Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

(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 It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

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

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

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

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

plural of “apple” — fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

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

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

darkened by smoke

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

plural of “cossack” — a member of a Slavic people living in southern European Russia and Ukraine and adjacent parts of Asia and noted for their horsemanship and military skill; they formed an elite cavalry corps in czarist Russia

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

absence of light or illumination

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

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

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

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

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

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

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

a slight suggestion or vague understanding

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

destroyed or killed

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

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

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

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

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

not admitting of penetration or passage into or through

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

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

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

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

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

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

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

not any; not one

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

done under pressure

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

deliver a hard blow to

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

wood in small pieces or splinters

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

make square

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

an intense or violent exertion

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

carry out

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

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

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

in or at that place or location

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

not clear and resonant; sounding as if striking with or against something relatively soft

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

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

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

a large number or amount

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

plural of “turnip” — widely cultivated plant having a large fleshy edible white or yellow root

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

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

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

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

From this reading My ears were straining all the time for the thudding of the hoofs of the Cossacks who were coming to destroy us.

at the time that

From this reading I had almost made up my mind that the candle must have gone out when there was a smack like a bursting bomb, our door flew to bits, and pieces of cheese, with a shower of turnips, apples, and splinters of cases, were shot in among us.

in or at the place that

From this reading As we rushed out we had to stagger through an impenetrable smoke, with all sorts of débris beneath our feet, but there was a glimmering square where the dark door had been.

which person or people

From this reading Who could have believed that a half-inch of candle could take so long to burn?

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It is no joke, my friends, to be among all those tons of powder, with the knowledge that if the flame of the explosion should penetrate through one thin door our blackened limbs would be shot higher than the Castle keep.